Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

SC Expects Record Turnout

Intense race may make Dems more competitive in general election here

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 26, 2008 11:44 AM CST
Email

(Newser) – Democratic officials are expecting record voter turnout for today’s South Carolina primary because of sunny skies and appealing candidates, the State says. But make no mistake: Dems don’t expect to win the Palmetto State come November. No Democrat has won a Southern state since Bill Clinton in 1996, although party officials hope this year’s race spurs people to the polls and makes the general election more competitive.

“The excitement has been a huge gain for the party,” said Joe Werner, the Dem’s SC chief. Republicans, meanwhile, saw turnout fall about 22% in last week’s primary compared to 2000. The GOP’s SC chairman explained, “The intensity was not here.” It’s a trend Dems hope to exploit: “We’re a little ways away from becoming a blue state,” Werner predicted.

George Palmer, left, and Joetta Palmer, right, along with their 4 year-old twin children, Justin, center left, and Jasmine, center right, turn out to cast their vote in the South Carolina Democratic Presidential Primary at Burke High School in Charleston, S.C., on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Alice Keeney)
George Palmer, left, and Joetta Palmer, right, along with their 4 year-old twin children, Justin, center left, and Jasmine, center right, turn out to cast their vote in the South Carolina Democratic Presidential...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. John Edwards. D-N.C.. reacts during a campaign rally to ask people for their vote on eve of the South Carolina Democratic primary Friday, Jan. 25, 2008, in Charleston, S.C.(AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. John Edwards. D-N.C.. reacts during a campaign rally to ask people for their vote on eve of the South Carolina Democratic primary Friday, Jan. 25, 2008, in Charleston,...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopefuls, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards chat while participating in a rally on the South Carolina Capitol steps in honor of Martin Luther King, Monday, Jan. 21, 2008, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Democratic presidential hopefuls, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards chat while participating in a rally on the South Carolina Capitol steps in honor of Martin...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., speaks in front of the South Carolina state flag at the Election Eve Stump Meeting in Columbia, S.C. Friday, Jan. 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., speaks in front of the South Carolina state flag at the Election Eve Stump Meeting in Columbia, S.C. Friday, Jan. 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Elise...   (Associated Press)
Poll Manager Brittany Coleman, left, assists Elizabeth Jenkins, right, and Craig Williams, center, as they prepare to cast their votes in the South Carolina Democratic Presidential Primary at Joseph Floyd Manor in Charleston, S.C., on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Alice Keeney)
Poll Manager Brittany Coleman, left, assists Elizabeth Jenkins, right, and Craig Williams, center, as they prepare to cast their votes in the South Carolina Democratic Presidential Primary at Joseph Floyd...   (Associated Press)
Karen Wright-Chisholm, of Charleston, S.C. prepares to cast her vote in the South Carolina Democratic Presidential Primary at Burke High School in Charleston, S.C., on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Alice Keeney)
Karen Wright-Chisholm, of Charleston, S.C. prepares to cast her vote in the South Carolina Democratic Presidential Primary at Burke High School in Charleston, S.C., on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Alice...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Obama needs to take SC by double-digits to truly win it
Newser

Everything you wanted to know about SC
Reuters

Edwards hopes to benefit from Clinton-Obama brouhaha
Politico

 
Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • weather • John Edwards • Democratic voters • South Carolina primary • voter turnout

More Newser Stories

Edwards' Endorsement Is No Game-Changer

Clinton's Numbers Spell Trouble

Obama Wins SC in a Rout

Edwards Gains on Clinton in SC

Dem Debaters Get Feisty
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne